Water Safety Activist, Joseph Vassallo, CBP Celebrates 10 years Teaching Positive Water Experience

LAS VEGAS - May 5, 2013 - PRLog -- Water Safety Activist Joseph  Vassallo, CBP president of Paragon Pools in Las Vegas, http://www.paragonpoolslv.com  continues his mission to teach homeowners and families how to have positive water activity experiences.

For over a decade, Vassallo has worked in collaboration with numerous agencies and businesses to deliver this vital lifesaving program called Float Like A Duck™. Vassallo believes that by educating the public and providing information on “How to keep kids safe” will decrease the number of submersions in the valley.  “Drowning can be prevented,” states Vassallo. “My goal is to bring the drowning rate to zero.”

Utilizing a kid-friendly, sidekick named Duckie, Vassallo is able to catch the attention of children and their parents, allowing him the opportunity to provide vital information about the importance of practicing safety measures, around all bodies of water.

The annual Float Like A Duck™ program continues to be a popular event that grows each year with the addition of new activities and community partners.

An active member of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP), Vassallo currently serves on the National Executive Board of Directors, the National Builders Council and the local chapter.  He also works closely with manufacturers, law makers, municipalities and inspectors regarding the research and application of safety devices.

Investing time and resources for the promotion of water safety, he has traveled to the nation’s Capitol to lobby for effective safety practices.  

“Constant Adult Supervision is the one safety measure that should never be replaced with technology,” explains Vassallo.  “Adding barriers, teaching kids to swim and other safety measures are highly recommended, but do not eliminate the need for constant supervision from a qualified adult.”  He further explains, “Parents take the time to cover electrical outlets, latch doors and drawers and gate stairwells, and they wouldn’t think of leaving an infant unwatched with the front door open. The same precautions should apply to the backyard.”  

Government codes and ordinances in Las Vegas and its surrounding are require homeowners to provide protective barriers with new pool and spa construction.  However, these laws do not pertain to existing pools, or to portable pools, wading pools and ponds available at local stores.  

The real estate market will likely find many new homeowners and renters who are inexperienced with a pool, spa, koi pond or other water feature.  Vassallo encourages installing safety barriers for all water environments to protect loved ones.

The award winning, water safety campaign, Float Like A Duck celebrates its 10th anniversary on Saturday, May 25th from 1-4 pm at the Heinrich YMCA Water Park on Meadows Lane. The event is free and open to the public. Additional event partners include: the Southern Nevada Heath District, Las Vegas Metro, Las Vegas Fire and Rescue, KVVU Fox 5, Clark County Fire Department, KTNV TV-13, Las Vegas Metro Volunteer Police, City of Las Vegas, MAC Landscaping, the Southern Nevada Child Drowning Prevention Coalition, UMC and the APSP.

Vassallo and Duckie the mascot also makes appearances throughout the community at no charge.  To arrange an appearance contact the Paragon Pools office at 702-251-0500. Or visit Duckie at   http://www.paragonpoolslv.com/floatlikeaduckwatersafety.htm and like his facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Floatlikeaduck .